Adjustable holder for detachable mops



Feb. 20, 1951 J, c ps c 2,542,751

ADJUSTABLE HOLDER FOR DETACHABLE MOPS Filed Oct. 21, 1946 //v VENTO/Q Eu 9fl J. Car 05 fack DYMW A TTORNEY Patented Feb. 20, 1951 ADJUSTABLE HOLDER FOR DETACHABLE MOPS Eugene J. Capstack, Louisville, Ky., assignor to Jseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc., Shively, Ky.,

a corporation of Indiana Application October 21, 1946, Serial No. 704,701

6 Claims. (Cl. -150) This invention relates to a mop holderr Mop holders of many different types have been proposed in the past, the vast number thereof precluding a discussion of each. Each'has apparently some advantages and disadvantages. Among the latter, a uniform and undesirable characteristic has been predominant, namely, that the actual mop-head engaging element is either secured to a handle, a hook or is otherwise formed so that it tends to entangle in the mop and preventeasy threading of the mop-engaging element with the mop. For instance in Patents 1,496,881 and 1,147,174 to Howenstein and Johnson, respectively, a locking handle is secured to the threading end of the mop engaging chain.- In Patent 1,496,925 to Eddy, a handle is secured to one end of the mop engaging chain and a hook to the opposite end. In Patent 1,056,963 to Wing, the mop-engaging element is formed as a wire with a handle-engaging loop on one end. All such structures have been found disadvantageous in the removal and replacement of mop heads. The manner in which the strands of a mop can become entangled with its securing element in use by reason of the actual mopping and repeated rinsing, sterilizing and wringing is almost beyond human comprehension. Consequently, the removal problem is a considerable one because in large establishments the mops wear out in a relatively short time and must be replaced. It is also desirable that the mops be capable of being readily removed and replaced because of the desirability of washing them in mechanical washers.

In addition all such prior mop holders have been characterized by either relatively complicated locking means for one end of the chain or loop or complicated adjustment means'for varying the lengths of the chain or loop in using mops of difierent sizes.

In overcoming the aforesaid disadvantages of the prior art, it is a major object of my invention to provide a novel mop holder of strikingly simple design wherein the mop-engaging element is formed of a single, flexible element of substantially constant cross-section and arranged so that a free end thereof without any hooks or the like is provided for threading through the mop.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel mop head wherein a flexible element such as a chain is provided for engaging the mop, the chain being adjustable in length to a degree much less than the length of the individual links of the chain.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a novel mop head characterized by its ease of securement to and release from a mop, and its design whereby all the mop-engaging and locking elements are fixed to the holder and cannot'be and need not be removed therefrom in removing or replacing a mop.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description and claims taken with the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a preferred embodiment of my invention in a, position where a mop is being attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a detail in perspective illustrating the manner in which the handle is mounted at one end of the base member and. locked thereon.

Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of the opposite end of the base member illustrating the manner in which the free end of the mop-engaging chain is secured.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the mop holder in locked position, the mop being omitted to more clearly show the elements of the holder.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, a base member II of generally arcuate shape, approximating a triangle, and formed in part as an outwardly facing channel, is secured as by a pin l2 to a handle-receiving socket 13, the end of the socket being preferably secured to the base member at the mid-point of its center leg by a pin 14.

A chain tightener of the self-locking type comprises a handle l5 pivoted at it to the opposed legs of a bracket I1 secured to one side leg of the base member as by a pin or rivet 18. The pivoted end of the handle is formed as a U, thus permitting one end of a flexible chain E9 or like element to be received therein while secured to a pin 2|. Because in locked position the chain 19 passes through the U-shaped end of the bandle between the pivot l 6 and the base member I l past dead center, its pull or force vector upon handle [5 will be in'a direction having a clock wise component as seen in Figure 4, thus holding the handle against the base member to provide a self-locking or toggle action. The chain will exert a pull upon the handle, holding it locked against the base member until the handle is manually rotated clockwise as seen in Figure 1, past dead center to bring the pull of the chain exterior of the pivot l6, whereupon the pull of the chain will tend to open the handle. It will be noted that the handle and the chainattached thereto are permanently secured to the base member and need not be removed therefrom in removing or replacing the mop. It will also be noted that in its self-locking position as shown in Fig. 4, the handle i5 is shaped to conform to the adjacent portions of the base member and the handle, thereby eliminating any possible interference in the use and wringing of the mop.

The leg of the base member opposite the handle leg is formed with a slot 2?. and aseries of spaced apertures 23, the latter being spaced apart a distance less than the length of a link of the chain and preferably a distance equal to about onehalf the length of a chain link.vv A connector or anchor member 24 is fixed in s1ot22'in'a manner to be adjusted therealong but not removable therefrom by a pin or rivet 25 having-1a head.26f-

larger than the diameter of: the slot; The- 0p posite end of the connector carries a pin having a section 28 arranged to engage apertures .23..and-- another section 29, preferably bent as shown in Fig. 3, to engage any link of chain 19. In uni-or the pin, appropriate lugsican be stamped from connector 25 to engage apertures 23-and thechain links.

wise of the position of Fig. land the free-end of chain lSthreaded through the mop. The mop may be of the type shown at 3lhavinga ocket 32secured thereonor may be of the more conventional type consisting of loose strands secured'at their midpointsby a canvas strip. Both .types raiseequal problems as regardsientanglement."

After pulling chain lfithrough the m'op," the free-endithereof issecured to pin 29'; the link selected beingsuch as to properly adjustit'he effective length of the chain, this being: de--- termined by moving the handle to locking posi tion. If the desired adjustment cannot be secured J within the limits of the length of a link on the: chain, connector 24 may be lifted and adjusted to place pin 28 in a different aperture 23', thus changing the adjustment about one-half link. 1 Assuming that the chain has now been correctlyadjusted, handle I 5may be moved to the position of-Fig. 4. It will be noted that in adjustingthe" position of connector 24 and correspondingly cient as regards the quick-change of mops thereon. By reason of the manner in which themop is arranged and secured to the h'oldenth'e holder is fully protected in -use.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A map holder comprising: a base member having a channel portion and having a long'itihdinal slot and a longitudinal seriesof aperturestherein; an anchor member'having a portion When a mopis to be attached to the holder thehandle is moved to full openposition-i. e., clock- 4 permanently received in said slot for sliding engagement, and a portion receivable in a selected aperture for holding said anchor in adjusted position; a flexible mop clamping member providing at least one loop therein; a hook on said anchor to removably receive a loop in said clamping member; and a tightenersecured to said base member and anchoring the opposite endof the flexible member.

2 A mop holder comprising: a base member having a. channel portion and having a longitudinal slotand alongitudinal series of apertures therein; an anchor member having a portion permanently receivedzin said slot for sliding engagement,.and a portion receivable in a selected aperture for-holding said anchor in adjusted position; .a. chain forclamping a mop member; a hook on said anchor to removably receive a link in said chain; and a tightener secured to said base member and anchoring the opposite end of said chain.

3.A mop holder as specified in claim 2 wherein said apertures are spaced apart lessthan the lengthof' a chain link.

atleast one loop therein; a hookon said anchor strip to removably receive a loop in said clamping member; and a tightener secured to said. basemember and anchoringthe opposite end of the.

flexible member.v

5. A mop holder as-specified in claim wherein said'flexible mop clamping memberis a chain, andv said circular apertures are spaced apart less than thelength of a chain link.

6. A mop holder as specified in claim 1 wherein I said tightener has a pair of prongs at its end in dependently pivoted to the channel portion-to tightener intermediate the ends thereof to hold the tightener by a toggle action.

EUGENE J. CAPSTACK REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS.

Number Name i Date:

1;056,963 Wing Mar. 25, 1913 1,147,174 Johnson July 20,- 1915 1,496,881v Howenstein .June'10, 1924 1,496,925 Eddy June 10, 1924' r 1,498,615 Eiffe June 24, 1924 1,886,338 Hirth Nov. 1, 1932: 

